Originally Posted by Shut up & ride
...but ultimately I'm trying to figure out how to gauge my cycle climbing limits in advance by relating it to hiking.
I really don't think you can.
Originally Posted by Shut up & ride
Of course I'll find out when I hit that first real climb on my bike.
no you won't
climbing isn't just physical... it's mental, emotional, technique. After you've done dozens of climbing rides, you'll look back at your first and realize you only did what was necessary to struggle up the hill. Ok, maybe not you. But for me, I've learned a lot in the past year about what's right for me.
Hiking was the same for me. When I started, I was just walking and then later, i realized I was now hiking.